THE Metro Manila police command has activated a task force to track down the policeman who is suspected of involvement in the killing of two Commission on Elections officials.

On Saturday, the policeman absconded from the headquarters of the Metro Manila police Regional Support Group (RSG) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where he was being held.

Chief Supt. Eric Javier, Metro Manila police command officer in charge, formed Task Force Ampatuan to locate Police Officer 2 Basser Ampatuan and investigate his disappearance from the RSG headquarters.

Javier also ordered the task force, headed by Chief Insp. Agapito Quimson, to coordinate with the National Police Maritime Group in the hunt for Ampatuan.

Ampatuan, member of the Shariff Kabunsuan police, is a suspect in the killing of former Comelec law department chief Alioden Dalaig and his successor, Wynne Asdala. He was arrested in April this year.

The Metro Manila police took Ampatuan into custody pending investigation into an administrative case, shortly after the Manila Prosecutor’s Office ordered his release despite the filing of murder cases against him.

Ampatuan is undergoing summary dismissal proceedings.

Until Saturday, Ampatuan was confined in one of the rooms in the RSG headquarters because he was not considered a detainee, Javier said.

“There is no reason for Ampatuan to escape since he was not detained but is just in custody,” he said.

Javier said the last time the policeman was seen was when he went to the toilet between 1:30 to 2 a.m. on Saturday.

The National Capital Region Police Office acting director ordered an investigation against Ampatuan’s custodian, Police Officer Mark Pasagui, hinting he may be liable for the disappearance.

He also said Ampatuan could be charged with insubordination for defying a lawful order.

“We have been keeping Ampatuan in restrictive custody under police disciplinary rules that authorize the chief National Police to place personnel in restrictive custody during the pendency of administrative cases filed against them,” Javier said.

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THE Metro Manila police command has activated a task force to track down the policeman who is suspected of involvement in the killing of two Commission on Elections officials.